Sentence Pattern 19: Using Parallel
Structure (AM: incorporate possession into each
sentence)For additional help using parallel structure, see CapitalCommunity
CollegeGuide to Grammar and Writing
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/parallelism.htm
When you include two or more
similar thoughts in the same sentence, they should be constructed in a similar
way. Similar construction is called "parallel
structure." There are many
situations when parallel structure is used. Here's a few:
1. If one item in a series is listed as a prepositional phrase, the others
should be in a prepositional phrase also.
Example: After a game of soccer, Bob quaffs a gallon of Gatorade,
a quart of Quencher,
and a pint of prune juice. NOT: ...Bob quaffs
a gallon of Gatorade,
a quart of Quencher,
and some prune juice.
2. If one clause of a sentence is in ACTIVE voice, the other clause should also
be in ACTIVE voice (not PASSIVE).
Example: Bob participated
in three events and won
awards in all three.
NOT: Bob participated
in three events and was
awardeda prize
in all three.
3. If listing a series of actions (verbs) in a sentence, use the same verb
tense.
Example: Whenever he
feels melancholy, Bob runs
on the beach, plays
tennis, sees
an upbeat movie, or calls
a friend. (All verbs are in
present tense.)
NOT: ..., Bob runs
on the beach, plays
tennis, saw
an upbeat movie, or calls
a friend. (Saw
is in past tense.)
4. There are lots of other situations in writing that require parallel
structure. It's hard to classify all of them. Here's a few other examples of
parallel structure.
Right: Fearing failure, Bob began trembling, sweating, and
vomiting.
Wrong: ..., Bob began
trembling, sweating, and
he vomited.
Right: Because Bob became an investigative reporter, he asked where
the accident occurred, when
it occurred, and why it occurred.
Wrong: ...., he asked
where the accident occurred,
when
it occurred, and the reason
it occurred.
Coordinate ideas must use the
same tense or structure. (These
examples are taken from PUSD's Writing Manuel.)

Wrong:

We
learned how to change a tire, shift sixteen gears, and
once almost ran the truck off the road.

Correct:

We
learned how to change a tire, shift sixteen gears, and
keep the truck from running off the road.

(All
the objects of the verb learned are parallel.)

Wrong:

I
have mowed the lawn, washed the dog, rescued our
hamster, and went to the store all in one day.

Correct:

I
mowed the lawn, washed the dog, rescued our
hamster, and went to the store all in one day.

(All
the verbs are parallel)

Wrong:

Water skiing no longer interests me as much as to go scuba
diving.

Correct:

Water skiing no longer interests me as much as scuba diving.

SP 19
practice: Underline the correct ending for each sentence below.1. The movie Catch Me If You Can featured a character who was
daring, racy, and...
(a) ...intelligent. (b) ...used his intelligence.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed a charlatan who impersonated others, accepted
jobs he was not qualified to do, and... (a) ...put others in perilous
situations. (b)...others were put in perilous situations.
3. Before the 10-mile run began, Fritz ate a protein bar and... (a)...quaffed
a jug of Gatorade. (b)...will quaff a jug of Gatorade.
4. "Don't mock me and ... (a) ...don't mock others," warned the principal.
(b)...it's not nice to mock others," warned the principal.
5. Finding herself in a perilous predicament, Porsha decided she should retrace
her steps, find a map,and..
(a)...take a safer route. (b)...a safer route was found.